The Best 0% Balance Transfer Credit Cards of 2015

If you’ve checked your FICO credit score recently and haven’t been happy with the results, one of the factors that could be bringing your credit score down is your used to available credit percentage. When creditors see that your credit cards have been maxed out, it implies that you’re in need of more credit and that you’re having trouble meeting your financial needs. One way to alleviate the burden is to apply for a 0% balance transfer credit card, and reduce the amount in interest being paid every month.

Choosing which 0% balance transfer credit card best suits your needs can be tricky. Some offer a low balance transfer fee while others have extended 0% intro offers beyond 12 months. Whether it’s a long balance transfer term or cash up front to help you out, we’ve compiled a list of the best 0% balance transfer credit cards. They come from a variety of issuers and if you have any experience with these cards, we’d love to hear about it in the comments section below.

PT’s Pick for Best 0% Balance Transfer Credit Card

Citi Simplicity® MasterCard – In my opinion, the best balance transfer credit card continues to be the Citi Simplicity MasterCard as it has the longest intro offer of 0% intro APR during the first 18 months, after that the variable APR will be 12.99%, 15.99%, 18.99%, 20.99%, and 22.99% (based on credit worthiness). The balance transfer fee for this card is at 3% ($5 minimum). That’s just straight up awesome for anyone new to credit who needs almost two years to make interest free payments! Unfortunately, the rewards program on this card is almost non-existent (as it only provides discounts on special purchases) but the Citi Simplicity MasterCard has no late fees or over limit fees, and does not carry an annual fee.

Discover it Card – A very close second, the Discover it Card includes a wide ranging amount of benefits the Citi Simplicity does not. The Discover it Card opens up with a 0% into APR on balance transfers for 14months, (and on purchases for 14 months) and also includes 5% cash back on rotating categories each year. The standard cash back rate on all other purchases is 1% and a recently new perk added; every monthly statement will include a free FICO credit score. You must make at least 1 purchase each month to receive a statement (and your FICO credit score) and if you take Discover up on it’s balance transfer offer; the fee is 3%. There is no annual fee on the Discover it Card, as well as no late fees or over-limit fees.

Slate from Chase – If you’re looking for the cheapest balance transfer method available, then the Slate from Chase is your go to credit card. For a limited time, new cardholders will be given a 0% intro APR on both purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, with NO balance transfer fee. Imagine you had $10,000 to transfer … you would end up paying an additional $300 immediately by using any of the other cards on this list. However with the Slate from Chase, the balance transferred would only be the initial $10,000 and 15 months would be given to pay it down (interest free). The standard APR after the intro period expires is 12.99%, 17.99% or 22.99% variable and there is no annual fee. However, just like the Citi Simplicity MasterCard above, there is no rewards package included, so the card should be used for balance transfers or emergencies only.

Capital One Platinum Prestige – The Capital One Platinum Prestige includes a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers (3% BT fee) until November 2015 (15 months). When the intro rate expires, the ongoing APR becomes 10.9% – 18.9% variable, which is the lowest on our list. Perhaps the largest benefit of owning a Capital One credit card is that no fee is charged on foreign transactions, thus purchases can be made internationally without the foreign transaction fee. For a word traveler, there is no better brand of credit card to own than Capital One so if you’re in need of a balance transfer and love to travel abroad … this is definitely the card for you.

Last Edited: February 9, 2015 @ 8:07 am

About Michael Pruser

Michael Pruser is the man. After spending a ton of money to go to the private University of Miami, Michael now enjoys spending time at home, writing personal finance articles for the world to read. His journey out of debt continues 500 words at a time.

Comments

Please let me know which cards would be beneficial to me as I am trying to consolidate my debt and pay down high balances. I currently have a Discover and Citi Master Card. The Discover has the higher balance.

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About PT

Hi, I'm Philip Taylor. I'm a husband, father, blogger, CPA, and entrepreneur. I love learning to do more with my money and sharing it all here with you. Join in on the conversation and start improving your financial life today. Read more...

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